Unlawfully His

CHAPTER 3- DIM LIGHTS

Looking at my mini-black halter-necked blazer dress, a pair of sling red bottom heels and a gold clutch I had gotten as a gift. Dressing to impress was never too much for an occasion; it commanded just the right audience. And that was my plan tonight.

I never imagined going to a party of the most eligible families, and not alone either. But tonight, I felt different, and I was loving it.

Adjusting what was left of my blonde pixie-cut hair with dark roots, I checked my makeup for the hundredth time and headed out of my suite. The drooling stares with each step I took couldn’t be ignored. The confidence that came with looking good was epic.

My ride over to the party was short, making me feel both uneasy and happy at the same time. For a bachelorette party, I was impressed. The party consisted of several sections, but what caught my utter attention was a secluded mansion that looked like it was for only high delegates.

My curiosity getting the best of me, I head to grab some shots to loosen up in a section called the ‘lovers arena’. I could see some people having fun until an unusual arm slung around my waist.

Turning over to confirm my allegations, there stood behind me a guy I assumed was in his mid to late thirties. He rigged of alcohol, the type that made you so uncomfortable. Taking in his looks he could pass for a spoilt brat whose genes had genuinely failed.

He couldn’t be the one. I’d pass.

Offering a disgusted look, I walk abruptly past him to where I assumed was the ladys room. Caught up between wanting to leave and stay, I missed a step and collided with someone.

“My bad, I’m so sorry-” lost in words, not because I wanted to but because a literal god stood in front of me.

Eyes piercing grey, standing in a well-tailored Armani maroon suit, with a cologne that could make any lady lose their senses was the most beautiful man I had ever seen. Features so sharp you could not miss them. I hadn’t realised I was gushing over him.

“For someone that’s apologising, your eyes certainly do roam a lot”

Wow nice one Sienna, asshole number two. I mean that wasn’t a lie, but did he really need to point it out like that.

“I assume you also had to be looking to have noticed if I was”. One thing I hated was losing a fight especially to men of high ego, I couldn’t stand it.

I could have sworn I saw him laugh, “The name is Gregory”,

“Sienna…Sienna Dawson” taking his already stretched arm, I took in his features once more.

“I’m guessing you aren’t from around here. Mind a drink, people are starting to stare.” Letting him lead the way, we enter into the mansion I had seen earlier. Light so dim, with soft piano notes playing in the background was not what I would have guessed.

Stepping into what was an art gallery, I couldn’t help but marvel at the perfections that lay on the walls, they were the most beautiful pieces I had ever seen.

Taking in the perfections that laid before me, I had never been a huge fan of art but standing in this room, all I wanted was to explore every one of the pieces, I wanted to know the story behind each of them.

I couldn’t help but notice a particular piece, it showed a man chained with scars on his skin and doves flying right before him at his side while flames were about to get them ablaze.

There was something about this piece, it was hard to place but it showcased something looking cruel. I was so confused as to why an artiste would even draw such. It was captivating but something about it showed endless pain-

“His losing his fight to his demons” and with that I was taken back, I hadn’t even realised he had followed me to the painting and even gotten this close

“Excuse me”

“The painting, that’s what the artiste is trying to portray. The chains signify him behind held by his demons, the birds chirping the other way is what’s meant to be peace going even farther away him and the flames means his trapped and losing the fight”

I was surprised and impressed by his interpretation, left for me I was going to assume anything that could settle the doubts in my head and forget about it. But that also drew my curiosity, who was this man.

Who was Gregory?

Gradually moving over the next few paintings I saw, my tummy reminded me of why it could never be flat by growling almost so loudly. I was about to praise the heavens this mysterious stranger didn’t hear that until.

“There’s a private dining restaurant on the next floor we can go grab something light to keep you till you’re done with the art pieces”

I wanted to argue so badly but then just on cue another growl came out and I decided to rest the topic and have something to eat.

Being a bit ahead of me and leading the way I startled immediately I saw it, that’s not possible.

“You got to be kidding me”